Tailoring of structures and permeation properties of asymmetric nanocomposite cellulose acetate/silver membranes

ABSTRACT Cellulose acetate (CA)–silver (Ag) nanocomposite asymmetric membranes were prepared via the wet‐phase inversion method by dispersing polyvinylpirrolydone‐protected Ag nanoparticles in the membrane casting solutions of different compositions. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized ex situ and added to the casting solution as a concentrated aqueous colloidal dispersion. The effects of the dispersion addition on the structure and on the selective permeation properties of the membranes were studied by comparing the nanocomposites with the silver‐free materials. The casting solution composition played an important role in the adequate dispersion of the silver nanoparticles in the membrane. Incorporation of nanoscale silver and the final silver content resulted in structural changes leading to an increase in the hydraulic permeability and molecular weight cut‐off of the nanocomposite membranes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41796.